We here in ROVA (rest of Virginia) are certainly pleased to know that we now have a different, more accurate and positive moniker - "Real Virginia" - to better this area that comprises most of the 5th, 6th and 9th congressional districts.

Thank you so much for this new designation and this most deserved recognition, George Allen, John McCain et al, and for finally "putting us on the map."

Now, if at least 45% of us "Real Virginians" will vote for Obama, perhaps at the very least we can help to change the color of that map to blue...

To me, that would make Virginia very real.

Thanks again!

Steve  

These people can't even get a job at walmart and are living off food stamps and what is left of welfare.
They are afraid that their fishing permits will be taken away.
They are the "guns, god, and gays" generation.
Sad but true.
My husbands relatives live there. A sad state of affairs folks.
Obama is a "muslim" and so on.
So we may reach some but hope many will just stay home.

If the Rev. Isaac J. Sarver has anything to say about it - that's his territory and I do believe he aims to win it for Sen. Obama.

We're really ramping up our efforts down here with the support of our local committees, a phenomenal base of volunteers, and a ground game lightyears beyond anything the region has ever seen. Still, we can't take anything for granted with just 16 days to make the last big push. Let's get out there on the doors and phones, and deliver Southwest Virginia for Barack Obama.

Isaac Sarver
Deputy Political Director for Southwest Virginia
Democratic Party of Virginia

Beautiful place. Plenty to be proud of. It is still a lot more forward thinking than the wealthy Richmond suburbs in the dead middle of the state, that place that elected George Allen and Eric Cantor.

The high population area around I-95 and I-64 to VA Beach is the major battle is this year. We've got a lot of ammunition.

but you are up against a group of people with a mindset that amazes me.
I think you are making a dent, but you can possibly clue us in with what is going on?
What exactly do these people think and want?
I interact with them, altho at range.
It is scary.

The comments by lgb are as bigoted about a region as a slur against a race would be, it is this very type of generalization about a race, a region, or a people that Obama is fighting against.  If someone said "what exactly do THESE people think and want" about a particular race or gender the outrage would be deafening but the Appalachian region can be slandered with impunity and enhance the image of an elitist ruling class that looks down on anyone they do not understand.  People in our country have different opinions and philosophies and Appalachia is no different.  It is fine for us to ship out coal, natural gas and timber and supply a disproportionate share of soldiers to the country's many wars but let some of us disagree with snobs and we are painted with a very broad brush.  Obama will do well down here and a lot of questions about him have been answered to the point that he will do as well as any recent white liberal presidential candidate has done, and may even get more votes than Keary. So, lgb, the next time you criticize some racist redneck, many of whom you can bet live in your elite neighborhood, look in the mirror at a cultural bigot.  

We let West Virginia go and now some break-away region calling itself "Real Virginia" wants out!

but while there might be more money (and by extension more education and commerce) there than elsewhere, the people really are no different. We have some demons in Virginia left to exercise but we do it best as a full team. No quitters.

 are working hard for Obama. Many of us are quite progressive in this part of the state.  So here's to Real Virginia for doing their part to get Obama a victory in the Commonwealth!!

Agreed, and thanks!

Steve

again in to "real" or "pro-" American vs. everyone else. Watch a YouTube clip of any Sarah Palin rally. If she mentions the New York Times, the crowd boos. One of the most prominent, dependable news sources IN THE WORLD is being bood like it's a rival college football team.

What the hell? Since when did the news become a "right or wrong" type of thing? We can blame Nixon or Rupert Murdoch or Reagan for this stupidification of half our country.